Monaco mid 90's thoughts?

[labguy1963]

Still on the search for a MH. After going for a ride and looking over a 2005 Bounder DP, I passed on that as I wasn't impressed with the overall quality(and the big price). Lately, I have been watching youtube videos on mid 90's Monaco DP's and they sell for like 1/3 of what I previously looked at in the Bounder. Now I really like what I see with them, including the side mount radiator. Being a furniture maker, I couldn't help but appreciate the woodwork. I really like the layout over most other makes of MH's that I have seen. Sure, a slide or 2 would be great, but the Monaco seem to utilize the space well without feeling cramped. So, I guess what I would like to know is, besides the usual things(tires, shocks, etc), is there any things to consider or not consider with these older Monacos? I do like the full body paint too. Thanks

[dcbopp]

Hi labguy1963, I'm sending you a private message. David

[Roadglider09]

My Dynasty had a full fiberglass roof. My Dynasty, when new, cost $282,000. Today you can buy them all day long for $30k-$50k.

[oldmattb]

My 1998 Monaco Windsor has a EPDM roof. I can only assume that it is original, and cannot speak for any other years or models. My previous coaches had fiberglass and Filon, either of which I would prefer.

Matt B

[RFCN2]

Monaco, Beaver, and Country Coaches from the mid 1990's similar good coaches all made in Oregon. Later in the decade you add slides. Some of the mid 90's Country Coach Magna's have beautiful interiors. A previous poster added that Monaco had EPDM roofs in 1990's. That seems wrong to me. I am sure CC had full fiberglass roof's, which are better. Beaver interiors also beautiful. Be sure to keep in mind that all three of these brands cost big bucks when new. This means repairs can cost big bucks. So try and get a coach from a finicky owner who has kept everything fixed. This is much more important than low miles.

[oldmattb]

Oh, your question...

Test the house batteries, replace the ice maker plastic line, inspect the EPDM roof carefully, make sure everything works properly, check windshield for cracks, verify date codes on tires, particularly the inside rear, verify gauges are working, are Tvs updated?

None are deal-breakers, but they do supply good ammo for bargaining.

Matt B

[oldmattb]

We bought a '98 Monaco Windsor earlier this year, after a very serious search. The gassers in our price range just seemed worn out - holes in upholstery, delamination, broken hardware, etc.

The '98 has air-bag suspension, diesel generator, full body paint, leather front chairs, great cabinetry, solid surface counters, biggest shower I have seen, some tile floor, huge fridge, big inverter. It was kept covered, all maintenance up to date (except due for a coat of "paint" on the roof), nearly new tires, and everything worked properly. No slides as was our preference. At a glance, it has passed for new.

We paid just at $20K - high based on NADA, but a good deal based on my six months of shopping. We saw a lot of junk in the $15-20K range. "Ready to roll" in one case meant fifteen year old tires, extensive delamination, a fallen headliner and a decade since the last tag.

There is nothing like a big 'ol diesel.

Matt B

[Ivylog]

A Dynasty gives the best bang for the buck and the 8.3/Allison is a really good combo. I would want one with an enclosed Onan quite diesel genny.

[Roadglider09]

We owned a 98 Dynasty, and it was a tank. The 8.3 Cummins ISC with side mount radiator mated to the Alison 6 speed tranny was unstoppable. We had a single slide in ours, and it did not need to be extended to be comfortable. Plenty of room with the slide in. But alas, we needed bunk beds for our girls so we traded it in.

You're right, the mid 90's Monacos do represent exceptional value for a high end coach, but I agree - maintence records and history are key to finding a great coach.

Good luck in your search!

[DonBaja]

Try to find:

1) One owner
2) Always stored inside
3) Low Mileage
4) Maintenence records

There are a ton of these out there if you look hard enough.

I bought a '95 Dynasty in 2008 from an RV mechanic shop owner who bought it new and stored the coach inside and had only put 44K on it. His depreciation expense was over $3/mile.